Born to Read:

Parents Make a Difference

Download your free copy now. Available until September 30th, 2026 for BC residents.

About the Author

Janet Nadine Mort — Award-Winning Literacy Educator

Dr. Janet Mort was awarded the Order of British Columbia (2020) for her “exceptional service” to children and education.(BC Lieutenant Governor the Honourable Janet Austin, 2020).The O.B.C. Investiture Ceremony Program described her contributions:

Dr. Janet Nadine Mort Is an internationally acclaimed innovative literacy curriculum designer, author of two books, organizer and speaker. She is also responsible for the reading success of countless vulnerable primary learners. Upon retirement in 2007, after a 35-year career as a teacher, principal, and superintendent of schools on Vancouver Island, Dr. Mort attained a PhD in language and literacy. Still determined to address the unmet needs of struggling primary students, Mort aligned her research and vast experience to develop her” Joyful Literacy Interventions”. She formulated an effective assessment, teaching and tracking paradigm that educates children through playful activities.

Her recent research-based book, Born to Read: Parents Make a Difference, is written especially for parents. It provides families and preschool communities with a proven and playful literacy roadmap that begins at birth and readies preschool children with a robust foundation for K – 12 school successes.

An illustration of a cozy living room with a framed photo of Dr. Janet Mort wearing her Order of British Columbia medal and a striped shirt hanging on the wall

Why This Book is Important for Our Families and Communities

I wrote this book for parents and others seeking literacy success for preschool children. It is a joyful and playful resource for parents, preschools and others who love and care for our early learners.

My book is based on recently published scientific research. If you follow our Joyful Literacy plan from birth to age five you will have made a significant investment in supporting literate, enthusiastic children who are beginning to read and LOVE books. Our plan is sequentially designed to guide your child through the preschool years with age-appropriate and enjoyable activities for adults and children alike – ready to succeed in kindergarten!

Why early literacy matters

We cannot afford to wait.

We cannot afford to wait. In most North American communities about one third of early learners confront a learning crisis when they enter kindergarten. Over 90% of all children are capable of being proficient in literacy in the primary years; yet by grade four (in BC) only about 70% of our children achieve this degree of success (Ministry of Education 2024).

Teachers do their best, but this disappointing statistic has been consistent throughout my 55-year career. I have learned one thing for sure, however. Parents can make the difference – by preparing their children for literacy in the preschool years – before they send them to school.

‍– Janet N. Mort PhD

1 in 3

Face a learning crisis

About one third of early learners confront a literacy crisis when they enter kindergarten.

90%+

Capable of proficiency

More than 90% of all children are able to become proficient readers in the primary years.

70%

Actually reach it by grade 4

In BC, only about 70% of children achieve that proficiency by grade four.

Ministry of Education, 2024

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